IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
IceShanty Main => General Ice Fishing Chit Chat => Topic started by: Ice Scratcher on Jan 21, 2015, 11:20 PM
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Spent the last two nights building me a Smitty sled..
I had everything except the stainless bolt, nut, and wing nut (X4) that are used to attach the cross boards to the uprights..
1/2" Birch ply for the uprights, 1x6" for the cross boards, and 3/4" angle iron (sourced from bed frame rails)....
I have been building and using sleds with down hill skis for 25 years now and prefer using only one mount in the ski's binding area.. The ski can flex and work like a suspension system for a very smooth quiet ride..
This is my first break down style sled though, thanks for the idea Smitty!!
Walked it out 1 mile on Erie tonight and it pulls like a dream!
Pictures....
(http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp207/Squareneck/IMG_20150120_230013025_HDR_zpsqj12cxvt.jpg)
(http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp207/Squareneck/IMG_20150120_230045009_zpsemnrvnk3.jpg)
(http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp207/Squareneck/IMG_20150121_233754_zpsefxiwyxi.jpg)
(http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp207/Squareneck/IMG_20150121_020319221_zpsssc9oap7.jpg)
(http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp207/Squareneck/IMG_20150121_210815829_zpsnlw9zsn0.jpg)
(http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp207/Squareneck/IMG_20150121_234209_zpszkmaup1e.jpg)
(http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp207/Squareneck/IMG_20150121_212339816_zps8ir5cn4c.jpg)
Thanks for looking!!
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One of the best Smitty's I've seen-- kudos!
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One of the best Smitty's I've seen-- kudos!
Thanks Townie!!!
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Nicely done! Obviously some thought went into that design.
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Very nice job I S ! (http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj189/WhopperStopper/Boards/toast_zpsc625a489.gif) (http://s272.photobucket.com/user/WhopperStopper/media/Boards/toast_zpsc625a489.gif.html)
WS
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good job man
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Nice real nice job !!
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I really like that design...I might have to contract one out from you...lol...Nice..
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nice design
another to add to the build list
SnoHam13
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How wide is that setup? And those look to be some pretty long Ski's also.
Nice work.
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Very nice..... still have to get mine done.
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Very nice. Mine isn't as nice to look at but does the trick. I added hinges to the cross braces and a rope in between so it collapses down into half the size.
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How wide is that setup? And those look to be some pretty long Ski's also.
Nice work.
Thanks Lefty!
The cross boards are 40 inches I think... I made it wide enough for my Clam 5600 too...
The skis are about 6ft, longer skis= easier pulling!
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Thanks to everyone for all the complements!
Here is its older brother, this one is about 15 years old, and is my second non collapsible sled..
I have been using this style of sled since 1985..
My first one had a square front and would plow on the taller drifts when being towed by a machine. It would throw snow all over my gear. Here are some pictures of my second version, featuring a boat nose.. stays on top of the drifts...
(http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp207/Squareneck/phonesled.jpg)
(http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp207/Squareneck/phonesled1.jpg)
(http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp207/Squareneck/noshanty.jpg)
(http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp207/Squareneck/camp.jpg)
(http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp207/Squareneck/0303132230_zps76671d6e.jpg)
Here it is loaded up with gear for me and four first timers...
(http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp207/Squareneck/1kQGlhgyEA3qDKqVxo1K4tQJBQDQ_nHa5xlpFFmKdS41_zpsda3494eb.jpg)
Added a wind break extension last season...
(http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp207/Squareneck/df76b6a2-9772-4048-bb65-55fcbb1bce38_zps495cc057.jpg)
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Both unit are nicely done. Your newest one even better than the 1st ;)
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Both unit are nicely done. Your newest one even better than the 1st ;)
Thanks Jon!
The first version will carry a lot more weight and doesn't pull any harder. Its also built to be towed at any speed on any ice and I can ride in/on it lol....
But it also weighs 65lbs... It will still get used although not as much..
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Very nice. Mine isn't as nice to look at but does the trick. I added hinges to the cross braces and a rope in between so it collapses down into half the size.
Sounds like a cool mod!
I saw one that sounds similar, does yours have wheels too?
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Great job and great pictures!
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Thanks Steve!
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Real nice work Scratcher! Nice wallagators in that last pic too! :(
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Great looking sled!
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Thanks fellas!
Good luck out there!!
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Very nice looking Smitty, question for you what is the height and width of the plywood pieces ? Thanks
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Thanks man, the plywood is 8" tall by 33" long..
They are 33 because I was looking for 22" between the 6x6 which are actually 5.5"...
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Ice Scratcher that is awesome! Hope you don't mind if I copy it!
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Nice set up. If you pass the rope through the front of the ski's you will se a big difference in the pulling of it. Either drill a hole or attach some eye bolts. Gives you better control of the sled.
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Nice set up. If you pass the rope through the front of the ski's you will se a big difference in the pulling of it. Either drill a hole or attach some eye bolts. Gives you better control of the sled.
It is a nice sled. I wish I would of made one that you can break it down for storage. You are right, if Scratcher would pull from the ski's it will pull even better. It works better and helps when you are pulling it on top of soft snow. All and all it is a very nice sled. :tipup:
Hey Scratcher - With a nice sled like you get you should also design so you can put wheels on it just in case you are some where that you got ice but, no snow. Be safe!! :tipup:
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I take a "Wagon" along, made from discarded shelving angle, stationary casters rear, swivel casters front.
(http://i1364.photobucket.com/albums/r726/r1f1eman/a1_zpse1f9f391.jpg) (http://s1364.photobucket.com/user/r1f1eman/media/a1_zpse1f9f391.jpg.html)
(http://i1364.photobucket.com/albums/r726/r1f1eman/a2_zpsbffd98c0.jpg) (http://s1364.photobucket.com/user/r1f1eman/media/a2_zpsbffd98c0.jpg.html)
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Ice Scratcher that is awesome! Hope you don't mind if I copy it!
Have at it!!!
I take that as a big complement! Thanks!
I think plywood for the uprights is a lot stronger, you just need to use angle to attach it to the skis.. And the angle on the cross boards forces perfect ski alignment when tightened down...
Also very important to paint/seal the plywood good so it doesn't delaminate...
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I have been pulling sleds on skis for a while now and never had any trouble with pulling or riding on top of the snow myself.. The main reason I am not pulling from the ski tips is it will want to pull the tips together possibly causing slight "V".. I think when you have weight too far forward or are running front and back blocks is when pulling from the tips can be a big benefit.. My skis can flex like they were ment to which allows them float more.. A good long rope does help though...
Thanks again everyone!!!
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I take a "Wagon" along, made from discarded shelving angle, stationary casters rear, swivel casters front.
I like that wagon idea! I might try to figure out a way for wheels soon... I have found though that whenever I could use wheels the best case would be to take them with me on the ice so they couldn't get stolen... I usually unload my truck near the ice and then park it, but that involves leaving my gear unattended..
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Here is a daytime picture, loaded with everything including, chainsaw, gas auger, 10lb and 5lb propane tanks...
Over 150lbs, still pulled real nice!!
(http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp207/Squareneck/IMG_20150128_144759060_zpsmluhxdce.jpg)
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Here are two videos showing off my favorite feature....
Wind power assist...
There is over 100lbs moving there...
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Thought I'd bump this, seems to be a few folks looking for alternative ideas lately..
Fortunately the photo bucket pictures are back into view..
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